In Tuesday’s EFL Cup quarterfinal, Chelsea’s record signing, Gordon, received a yellow card, sparking controversy as many believed it should have been a red card. Despite fan concerns over a potentially dangerous tackle, Gordon continued to play until injury forced him off the pitch, with Matt Ritchie replacing him.
Fans expressed dissatisfaction with the tackle, with comments such as “Dirty challenge” and “That’s bad” circulating on social media. Observers noted that Gordon was fortunate to remain on the pitch after a tackle that involved Caicedo’s studs on the back of his legs. Many believed it warranted a red card, with one supporter stating, “He’s lucky to be on the pitch.”
Despite Chelsea’s seeming reprieve, their defensive lapses led to Callum Wilson punishing them in the sixteenth minute. Mauricio Pochettino’s altered team faced criticism for poor defending, with attention shifting between the goal and the contentious Caicedo incident.
Caicedo’s tackle on Gordon stirred debate, emphasizing the absence of VAR in the EFL Cup, unlike its use in Premier League games for domestic competitions. Fans expressed relief that VAR wasn’t available, with one supporter noting, “So far, Chelsea is benefiting from the lack of VAR.”
The 22-year-old Ecuadorian player, Caicedo, faced general difficulties since joining Chelsea in the summer. A viewer commented on his first-half performance, expressing concern: “Caicedo is a major worry for Chelsea, looks overwhelmed in there.” Despite the ongoing challenges, Chelsea ultimately faced both scrutiny for defensive lapses and controversy surrounding Gordon’s yellow card in the EFL Cup quarterfinal.
